TORONTO – Wind Mobile customers are the first to have cellular service at three major subway stations in downtown Toronto.
The stations – St. George, Bay, and Bloor-Yonge, have cell service immediately, and additional stations in the downtown core will be “live” in time for the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games in July, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) said Wednesday. Other wireless providers are expected to sign on shortly.
The announcement comes as part of a broader plan to extend Wi-Fi and cellular capabilities to all subway stations in Toronto across infrastructure owned and operated by wireless network operator BAI Canada. The company said that its ad-supported Wi-Fi service now grants more than one million one-hour sessions per month while TTC customers use more than 15 terabytes of data.
Wi-Fi and cellular infrastructure will be available in all public areas of all subway stations, including platforms, mezzanines, walkways and stairwells by 2017. Continuous signal coverage in the tunnels between stations will take place during the subsequent phase of the project.
“Today’s announcement builds on our commitment to provide our customers with the true mobile freedom they deserve, whether above or below ground”, said Wind Mobile CEO Alek Krstajic, in a statement. “This is yet another step towards expanding our network and enhancing the Canadian wireless experience.”
“As part of the TTC’s modernization process and broader wireless initiative, we are committed to providing connectivity to TTC customers while generating revenue to help fund continued system improvements”, added TTC chair Josh Colle. “Wind Mobile subscribers will be the first to have access to cellular service at TTC stations, and we look forward to expanding service in the future to all TTC customers.”
